Functionalized Graphene Oxide with Hepatocyte Targeting as Anti-Tumor Drug and Gene Intracellular Transporters

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2015 Mar;15(3):2052-9. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2015.9145.

Abstract

In order to realize the hepatocyte-specific targeted delivery of anti-tumor drug and gene, lactosylated chitosan oligosaccharide (LCO) functionalized graphene oxides (GO-LCO) containing quaternary ammonium groups (GO-LCO+) were prepared. The formation and composition of GO-LCO+ were confirmed by FTIR, AFM, TGA and zeta-potential. The in vitro cells uptakes of this functionalized GO were investigated and the results showed that GO-LCO+ can deliver fluorescein FAM-labeled DNA sequence (FAM-DNA) into human hepatic carcinoma cells (QGY-7703) with higher efficiency than positively charged chitosan oligosaccharide (CO) functionalized graphene oxides (GO-CO+) without Lactose acid modification. The loading efficiency of doxorubicin chloride (Dox) on GO-LCO+ with 477 µg/mg was obtained at the initial Dox concentration of 0.45 mg/ml and release of Dox on GO-LCO+ showed strong pH dependence. The toxicity of GO-LCO+ before and after loading with Dox toward QGY-7703 cells was further investigated. Our results suggest the functionalized GO to be used as a nanocarrier for hepatocyte targeted co-delivery of anti-tumor drugs and genes with low cytotoxicity, promising for future applications in anticancer drug and gene combined therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chitosan / chemistry
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / genetics
  • Doxorubicin / chemistry*
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Carriers / metabolism
  • Drug Liberation
  • Fluorescein / chemistry
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Oligosaccharides / chemistry
  • Oxides / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Oxides
  • Graphite
  • Doxorubicin
  • DNA
  • Chitosan
  • Fluorescein